itsmyonlyvice

Hi Everyone,
I am back as promised with pictures of improving the inlets of the 104. 
 

 
This is the original kit as created by Hasegawa. Generally the piece represents the shock cone of the 104s inlets but it isn't the correct shape. The indented line represents the inlet where air flows into the shock cone.
 

 
I have cut and made individual pieces for the shock cone so I can improve their respective shapes. The piece on the left is the “bullet†of the shock cone. The white area are three individual pieces of .040†styrene laminated together and roughly filed into shape. The long top and bottom pieces are the inside of the inlet. These are separated because they do not sit perfectly vertical, but angle inwards. These will be angled to the correct angle.
 
The middle piece is the long part of the shock cone. The leading edge of the opening has been filed down to scale thickness, and if you look at the top and bottom of it you will notice a piece of .030†x .030†strip styrene has been glued to each. I will glue and additional piece to each and then sand them at an angle to allow the opening to sit above the back of the bullet. This will allow the opening to be visible form the front. This is where the air flows into the shock cone, then on to the engine. I'll see if I can scan some pictures and include them in my next post so you can understand what I am doing. I hope that what I have written here is clear, but you know what they say about a picture.
 

 
These are tools that I use to “anneal†strip styrene to get the radius/curve that I need when gluing styrene to round or half round pieces. About six years back a company, their name escapes me now, made tools called “Ring making tools†designed for the armor modeler. Modelers create the size of ring that they need by bending brass or stainless steel detail wire such as that made by the model railroading detail company "Detail Associates,†around the diameter of that is needed.
 
These tools are “Ring Making Tools†and you find them in the Jewelry or Breading section of a craft store. I purchased these at “Michael's†here in the USA, for about $6.00 US. If there isn't a Michael's in your part of the world any craft store that carried jewelry making or beading supplies should have them. I suppose you can find them online too.
You use these by placing the strip styrene on the diameter you need, holding it in place with finger or thumb, and working the styrene around the tool. It softens and stretches the styrene so when you glue it to the round surface with your favorite liquid glue, it snugs down in place. 
 

 
This is the final picture for the evening. Just underneath the white laminated pieces at the top of the bullet, are three individual pieces of strip styrene of various sizes to create a graduated “step down†towards the front of the bullet. The sizes are starting from the top: .040†x .080â€, .030†x .060†and .020†x .080â€. I need to add a few more pieces to continue the shape towards the front and add some bulk to the top of these pieces. These strips will not continue all the way to the tip, but they are needed to give the correct round shape. About the best picture of these is found in Ginter's Air Force Legends Book on the NF-104A.
 
I am done for the night. I hope that you are enjoying my build and finding it interesting. Maybe some of my tips and tricks will help you too. Have fun with your build, and watch for more.
Steve

Hi All,
First time posting to LSP forums. I have studied the Vietnam Air War for a very long time and am very glad to see the GB created. My subject is Hasegawa's recent limited release of the 104C. I will keep you all posted as to the progress of the build, and am looking forward to all of the subjects that have been posted to date. What's the secret to posting an image?
 
Thanks guys, and enjoy your day.
Steve